Federico Bernardeschi

Federico Bernardeschi (Italian pronunciation: [fedeˈriːko bernarˈdeski]; born 16 February 1994) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a winger or attacking midfielder for Serie A club Juventus and the Italy national team, although he has also been deployed in other roles on occasion, including as a central midfielder.

Federico Bernardeschi
Bernardeschi with Fiorentina in 2016
Personal information
Full name Federico Bernardeschi
Date of birth (1994-02-16) 16 February 1994
Place of birth Carrara, Tuscany, Italy
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)[1]
Playing position(s) Winger / Attacking midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Juventus
Number 33
Youth career
2000–2001 A.S.D. Sporting Atletico Carrara
2001–2003 Polisportiva Ponzano
2003–2013 Fiorentina
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2013–2017 Fiorentina 72 (14)
2013–2014 → Crotone (loan) 39 (12)
2017– Juventus 70 (6)
National team‡
2011–2012 Italy U18 7 (0)
2013 Italy U19 1 (0)
2013–2015 Italy U20 2 (0)
2014–2017 Italy U21 16 (5)
2016– Italy 24 (4)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 26 June 2020
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 15 November 2019

He began his playing career with Atletico Carrara and Polisportiva Ponzano. In 2003, he moved to the Fiorentina youth system, where he spent 10 years, before spending one season on loan at Crotone during the 2013–14 season. He returned to Fiorentina the following season. In July 2017, he was sold to Juventus.

At international level, he has represented Italy at youth level since 2011, eventually making his senior debut in 2016, and was a member of the nation's squad at UEFA Euro 2016.

His nickname is Brunelleschi, after the famous Florentine architect, for his technique and elegance on the pitch.[2]

Club career

Early career

Bernardeschi began playing football at age six with Atletico Carrara. A year later he transferred to Ponzano, a football school of Empoli, before arriving at Fiorentina, who assigned him to the "Pulcini" age group at the age of nine in 2003.[3]

After passing through the ranks of the Fiorentina youth system, he spent the 2013–14 season on loan at Crotone in Serie B. He made his professional debut at 19 years old, on 8 September 2013 against Pescara, when he entered the field after 75 minutes, replacing Soufiane Bidaoui.[4] At the end of the season Bernareschi scored 12 goals in 39 appearances and Crotone exercised the option to acquire half the player's contract in co-ownership.

In 2019, Bernardeschi revealed that he used to struggle with heart problems at around the age of 16.[5]

Fiorentina

On 20 June 2014, Fiorentina officially redeemed Crotone's half of Bernardeschi's contract,[6] and he was inserted into the first team under the direction of Vincenzo Montella. During the 2014–15 season he obtained 10 appearances and three goals in all competitions, partially hampered by a fracture to his ankle which kept him out from November 2014. He made his Serie A debut on 14 September 2014, at the age of 20, coming off the bench in the 57th minute of a 0–0 home draw against Genoa.[7] Four days later, he made his debut in European debut in a 3–0 home win over Guingamp in the Europa League, in which he also scored his first goal for the club.[8] After returning to the team following his injury,[9] he scored his first goal in Serie A on the final matchday of the season, in a 3–0 home win over Chievo on 31 May 2015.[10]

He was awarded the number 10 shirt at the start of the 2015–16 season, previously worn by the likes of Giancarlo Antognoni and Roberto Baggio.[11] On 26 November 2015, Bernardeschi scored two goals in a 2–2 away draw against Basel in the Europa League group stage.[12] On 6 February 2016, Bernardeschi scored his second goal in Serie A, during a 1–1 away draw against Bologna.[13]

Juventus

2017–18 season

On 24 July 2017, Bernardeschi was signed by Juventus, one of Fiorentina's main rivals, for €40 million on a five-year deal.[14][15] Although he was named as a possible candidate for the number 10 shirt in the media, he eventually chose the number 33, stating: "The No. 10 is a number I like but I'll need to earn it. Taking the No. 33 is the correct choice at this point."[16] On 13 August, he made his club debut, coming on as a substitute in a 3–2 defeat to Lazio in the 2017 Supercoppa Italiana.[17] He made his UEFA Champions League debut on 12 September, coming on as a second-half substitute for Rodrigo Bentancur in a 3–0 away loss to Barcelona.[18] On 1 October, he made his first start for Juventus, and scored his first goal for the club, also assisting another for Gonzalo Higuaín, in a 2–2 away draw against Atalanta.[19][20][21] He scored his first Champions League goal on 5 December, after coming off the bench, netting his club's second goal in a 2–0 away win over Olympiacos; the result allowed Juventus to advance to the knock-out stages of the competition.[22] On 9 February 2018, Bernardeschi returned to Florence, receiving vulgar insults from home fans throughout the match; he scored a free kick in the second half to silence the crowd.[23]

2018–19 season

Bernardeschi scored his first goal of the 2018–19 season in Juventus's opening Serie A match on 18 August 2018, netting the winner in a 3–2 away victory over Chievo in injury time.[24]

International career

Youth
Bernardeschi with Italy under-21s

On 5 March 2014, he made his debut with the Italy under-21, in a Euro 2015 qualifying match against Northern Ireland.[25] He took part at the 2015 UEFA European Under-21 Championship under manager Luigi Di Biagio.[26]

In June 2017, he was included in the Italy under-21 squad for the 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship by manager Di Biagio.[27] In Italy's final group match on 24 June, Bernardeschi score the only goal in a 1–0 win over eventual champions Germany, which allowed Italy to advanced to the semi-finals of the competition.[28] Italy were eliminated by Spain in the semi-finals on 27 June, following a 3–1 defeat, with Bernardeschi scoring Italy's temporary equaliser.[29] He was named to the team of the tournament for his performances.[30]

Senior

From 10 to 12 March 2014, Bernardeschi was called up to the senior national team by coach Cesare Prandelli as part of an internship to evaluate young players ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup,[31] confirmed on the next meeting between 14 and 15 April.[32]

Bernardeschi received his first official call up to the Italy senior squad by manager Antonio Conte in March 2016 for friendlies against Spain and Germany.[33] He made his international debut for Italy on 24 March, coming on as a substitute in a 1–1 home draw against Spain, and was involved in Lorenzo Insigne's goal.[34] On 31 May, he was named to Conte's 23-man Italy squad for UEFA Euro 2016.[35] He made his only appearance of the tournament on 22 June, in Italy's final group match, which ended in a 1–0 defeat to Ireland.[36] He scored his first senior international goal on 11 June 2017, in a 5–0 home win over Liechtenstein in a 2018 World Cup qualifier.[37]

On 12 October 2019, Bernardeschi scored in a 2–0 home win over Greece, which sealed Italy's qualification for Euro 2020.[38]

Style of play

A quick, strong, creative, technically gifted, and hard-working player, with a good positional sense and an eye for goal, Bernardeschi is regarded as one of Italy's most exciting and talented prospects. A predominantly left-footed player, known in particular for his pace, agility, and dribbling ability, as well as his powerful and accurate striking ability from outside the area, as well as his ability to make late attacking runs into the box. His preferred role is as a right winger or outside forward in a 4–3–3 formation, a position which allows him to beat opponents, cut into the centre, and either shoot towards goal or link-up with midfielders and create chances for teammates with his stronger left foot; he is also capable of playing on the left flank. Although he often serves as a link between the forwards and midfielders, due to his tactical versatility, intelligence, stamina, vision and defensive work-rate, as well as his technical, athletic, and physical attributes, he is also capable of playing in several other positions, and has been deployed as a second striker or inside forward, as an attacking midfielder, in a central role as a classic number 10 playmaker behind the forwards (known as the trequartista role, in Italian), in particular under his Juventus manager Maurizio Sarri, in a deeper midfield role as an offensive-minded central midfielder (known as the mezzala role, in Italian), further up the pitch as an outright forward, as a false 9, or even as a wide midfielder, full-back, or wing-back along the right side of the pitch.[nb 1] He is also known for his accuracy from set-pieces[55][56][57] and penalties.[58][59] He has cited compatriots Francesco Totti, Giancarlo Antognoni, Roberto Baggio, and Alessandro Del Piero as his footballing idols and role models; his role on the pitch and style of play have also led pundits to compare Bernardeschi to these aforementioned players, as well as Michel Platini.[11][39][60][61] He has also described Ukrainian former striker Andriy Shevchenko as one of his major influences in his youth.[62] Due to his technique and elegant playing style, Bernardeschi has been nicknamed Brunelleschi, as a reference to the famous Italian Renaissance designer and architect from Florence.[2][63]

While Bernardeschi has largely drawn praise in the media for his ability, talent, and playing style, in July 2017, following rumours of Bernardeschi's possible transfer to Fiorentina's rivals Juventus, and the possibility of him inheriting the club's number 10 shirt, former Italy manager Arrigo Sacchi stated in an interview that although he felt Bernardeschi had "enormous potential", he also believed he needed to improve in certain aspects of his game; he commented: "He [Bernardeschi] doesn’t use his right [foot] much and he needs to improve in that, if you only have one foot you risk being predictable and the opposition can shut you down more easily. I’d say he dribbles well, he takes on a defender and goes past them with agility and imagination. He also has a good shot on him, he sees the goal, takes aim and the result is always dangerous. A great player? Calm down, calm down. I’m describing a lad with notable talents, but one who has to mature and be helped. For example, he has to learn how to get into the rhythm of the game with consistency. To be great, you need to have an understanding with your team. ... Bernardeschi needs to do better in that regard, less individual technique and more collective technique." Sacchi later also added: "He’s still a lad, they need to help him and have patience with him. The important thing is not to play the game of comparisons. Bernardeschi is not Del Piero and he’s not Roberto Baggio. They were more at the centre of things, while Bernardeschi moves on the wing."[39] His decision-making has also been cited by pundits as an area in which he needs to improve as he gains experience.[64]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 26 June 2020.[1]
Club Season League Cup Europe Others Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Crotone (loan) 2013–14 39[lower-alpha 1]1200——3912
Fiorentina 2014–15 71003[lower-alpha 2]2—103
2015–16 332107[lower-alpha 2]4—416
2016–17 3211218[lower-alpha 2]2—4214
Total 721431188—9323
Juventus 2017–18 224305[lower-alpha 3]11[lower-alpha 4]0315
2018–19 282218[lower-alpha 3]01[lower-alpha 4]0393
2019–20 200305[lower-alpha 3]10[lower-alpha 4]0281
Total 7068118220989
Total 1813211236102023044
  1. Includes one appearance in a Promotion playoff match
  2. All appearances in the UEFA Europa League
  3. All appearances in the UEFA Champions League
  4. All appearances in the Supercoppa Italiana

International
As of 15 November 2019.[25]
Italy
YearAppsGoals
201670
201761
201831
201982
Total244

International goals
As of match played 15 October 2019. Italy score listed first, score column indicates score after each Bernardeschi goal.
International goals by date, venue, cap, opponent, score, result and competition
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition
1 11 June 2017Stadio Friuli, Udine, Italy9 Liechtenstein4–05–02018 FIFA World Cup qualification
2 10 October 2018Stadio Luigi Ferraris, Genoa, Italy15 Ukraine1–01–1Friendly
3 12 October 2019Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy22 Greece2–02–0UEFA Euro 2020 qualification
4 15 October 2019Rheinpark Stadion, Vaduz, Liechtenstein23 Liechtenstein1–05–0

Honours

Juventus[1]

Individual

Notes
  1. See[12][14][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54]

References
  1. Federico Bernardeschi at Soccerway
  2. Tenerani, Mario (16 October 2014). "Bernardeschi, la mano dell'artista: per tutti a Firenze è Brunelleschi" [Bernardeschi, the artist's hand: for everyone in Florence he is Brunelleschi]. Il Messaggero (in Italian). Retrieved 8 March 2017.
  3. Matteo Dovellini (2 December 2015). "Fiorentina, su Bernardeschi c'è il Barcellona: "Controlados"" (in Italian). La Repubblica. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
  4. "Bernardeschi, esordio in B con il Crotone: finisce 2-2" (in Italian). Il Tirreno. 9 September 2013. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
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  54. Lega Serie A, Match Report and Formations, Juventus v Sassuolo, 1 December 2019
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